Svmuu News: With the surge in healthcare hiring seen in January expected to return to normal levels, U.S. job growth in February may have slowed, though the unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 4.3%. The Labor Department is set to release this closely watched jobs report later today, which is likely to paint a picture of a stabilizing labor market.Earlier in 2025, the labor market had faltered due to what economists described as uncertainty stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff policies. This will further reinforce economists’ view that the Federal Reserve is in no hurry to resume interest rate cuts, especially as the war in the Middle East threatens to fuel inflation.Economists predict that following the addition of 130,000 jobs in January, nonfarm payrolls may have increased by only 59,000 last month.Forecasts range from a loss of 9,000 jobs to a gain of 125,000. In addition to a pullback in the healthcare sector, a strike by 31,000 healthcare workers in California and Hawaii may also weigh on the employment data. (Jin Shi)